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Honours for Sir Paul Nurse and Sir Nicholas Hytner

King’s College London has conferred an honorary doctorate upon Sir Paul Nurse PRS and an honorary fellowship upon Sir Nicholas Hytner at degree ceremonies this month at the Barbican Centre, London.

Sir Nicholas Hytner, Director of the National Theatre, received his honorary fellowship on Monday 21 January.

Sir Paul Nurse received an honorary doctorate of science of King’s College London on Monday 28 January. Sir Paul is a highly distinguished geneticist and was joint recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2001. He is President of the Royal Society, a former Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, and Director of the Francis Crick Institute: London’s world-leading biomedical research centre, of which King’s is part, opening in 2015.

Altogether, there were eight King’s College London degree ceremonies at the Barbican between 21 and 29 January, at which some 2,800 graduands were presented to the Marquess of Douro, Chairman of the College Council, and other members of the College Council, and to Professor Sir Richard Trainor, Principal of the College.

Offering his warmest congratulations to those who graduated, Professor Trainor commented: ‘It is very important to have an occasion at which graduates’ success can be shared with each other, with their supporters and with those who have taught them at King’s. Those celebrating at these ceremonies have graduated from one of the world’s top universities, a major centre of research, teaching and innovation. We are very proud of our most recent alumni, and hope they will retain their links with the College and with the friends they have made here.’

King’s College London is the best university in the UK for graduate employment, according to the 2013 Sunday Times University Guide, published in September. The College was Sunday Times ‘University of the Year’ in 2010.

A study led by King's College London has identified a new genetic variant associated with stroke. By exploring the genetic variants linked with blood clotting – a process that can lead to a stroke – scientists have discovered a gene which is associated with large vessel and cardioembolic stroke but has no connection to small vessel stroke.